Pure Heart: Anything for You Series - Book 1 (6 page)

Gabriel was looking at his computer screen. He decided to continue working in the living room instead of his office. He wore earphones as he listened to some music while working. This was the least he could do to keep himself busy. He had to stop thinking about Juliana, who was still sleeping in one of his guest bedrooms. He was lucky he lived away from his family. Otherwise, he would be in deep trouble bringing her home.

He knew he would not hear the end of it from his parents, especially his mother. She had always nagged him, telling him he should find a serious girlfriend soon. But after being ditched at the altar by his first love, he knew it would be hard to love again. The incident had left him more distrusting of people.

Juliana walked to the living room and saw a man sitting on the couch. His back was turned to her. The room was dimly lit, making it hard for her to see him clearly. She walked closer to him, careful not to distract him. When she was close enough, she saw that he was wearing earphones and that he was oblivious to what was happening around him.

It was then she realized that she was standing in the living room with her boss, Gabriel Mitchell. It dawned on her that she was in his home and that she was wearing something of his.
Oh no! What happened?
She wondered, and hoped that nothing happened between them.

He felt a presence near him. When he turned to the right, he saw Juliana standing there, looking at him with eyes as big as saucers. She looked confused. He took off his earphones and stood up, leaving his laptop where he sat.

“I'm sorry, did I wake you?”
He asked.

“No, you didn't. Did I disturb you? You seemed to be busy when I walked in. Sorry for that.”
She said as she looked at her feet on the carpeted floor.

“No, I was just keeping myself preoccupied. I couldn't sleep.”
He stopped himself from saying it was because of her, because he knew that would be out of line.

“Are you feeling much better now?”
He inquired as he continued to look at her.

“Yes, I'm better now. Sorry if I fell asleep and bailed on you earlier. That usually happens to me whenever I drink wine or anything alcoholic.”
She admitted.

“Sorry I brought you here. I tried asking you where you lived but you couldn't tell me. I couldn't just leave you anywhere. I wanted you to be safe.”
His admission sounded sincere which made her stop doubting him at some point.

“Would you like to go home now?”
Gabriel might not like her to go just yet, but he knew he had to at some point.

“Can I just stay here for the night and leave early tomorrow morning instead?”
Juliana did not know what came over her. She would never do something like this in a million years, yet here she was asking her boss to let her sleep in his home.

“I don't mind. If you're looking for your dress, I had it washed for you. Mrs. Donovan, my housekeeper, was the one who helped you out when I brought you here. I'm sure you were wondering about that earlier. You are safe here. Just tell me when you want to go home and I'll take you.”
He confessed.

“Thank you.”
She walked closer to him and took a peek at his computer screen.

“What were you reading when I barged in on you earlier?”
She continued to stand behind the couch, not knowing what to do next.

“Nothing much. At first, I wanted to go over some articles which were submitted earlier for Crave, but I ended up reading newspaper articles instead.”
He said as he looked at her standing before him. She still looked beautiful, despite the fact that she was no longer wearing the dress that made her look like a seductress earlier.

“How about we watch a movie instead? Come, sit, please.”
He offered her. Although she did not follow him right away, she eventually did.

“Your choice. No, I don't mind chick flicks.”
He figured she would want to watch one, especially since she was still feeling upset from what Michael did to her.

“How about we watch one of my all time favorite films, a historical romantic film called Shakespeare In Love? I hope you have a copy of that in your collection.”

“Good choice! I liked that movie too. I just never had the time to watch it again.”
He stood up and looked for a copy in his collection. When he found it, he played it and sat beside her.

“We could order pizza if you want. We can drink beer or soda with it as well. On second thought, I get the beer, you only get soda, young lady.”
He was joking and this made her laugh.

“No, I'm good. The food at your aunt's place were really good. I think I should go there again next time with Michael.”
His smile faded as soon as she mentioned his name. Why does he have to be so affected anyway?

The movie started and before long, both of them were too concentrated on the movie to realize that it was almost 3 A.M. Gabriel saw Juliana shed tears in the movie. He wondered if she ever felt like Viola De Lesseps? Did she feel trapped in her current relationship without her knowing it? Did she want to have a passionate love like William Shakespeare, or have someone like Lord Wessex?

He would rather be William Shakespeare, but he never got Viola to stay with him. It was a forbidden love, a fatal attraction, something he knew all too well. As the movie ended, he felt the need to carry her in his arms and take her to his bed to make love to her, but he stopped himself, knowing she was not his.

“That movie never fails to make me teary-eyed.”
She declared.

“If you were Viola, would you have chosen Will or Lord Wessex?”
He asked because of his earlier musing.

“That's hard. Most women want to experience passion, to be with a one great love which can last forever. Will could probably give her that but knowing his womanizing ways, he might not stick around forever, leaving her in tears. Apart from that, he was living a poor life, which was stark against her rich living. In terms of social standard, they were very different, which would lead to them having a hard relationship. On the other hand, Lord Wessex could afford to give her everything. Unfortunately, she does not love him. But he does. Although it would be hard to learn to love someone, sometimes you have to. Maybe Will and Viola are just not meant to be. I say that it is better to be loved and lost than to never have loved at all.

So, I would choose Will if I would let passion sweep me off my feet while if I wanted convenience, I would choose Lord Wessex.”
She said matter-of-factly. He figured if he could be passionate like Will then he could sweep her off her feet, as the latter was no longer an issue. He could provide for her. He was already wealthy to begin with. If it was passion that he lacked, he knew he had to make up for it just to win her one day.

“So, what do you want to watch next?”
He changed the topic because he knew it would be too much to ask her more questions right now. He waited for her response as he stood in front of his movie collection.

“I think I'll pass, boss. I'll get some shut eye for a couple of hours and be out of your bouncy hair soon enough.”
She said in a playful tone as she stood up and walked away from him. If only she knew that he did not want her to leave him soon. He wanted to follow her to her room but stopped himself. It was then he saw her phone, which she left on sofa. He grabbed the phone and walked toward her room. She walked slowly which made it easy for him to keep up with her.

“Wait, Ms. Austin. You forgot this.”
He said behind her.

She turned around as she heard his voice. He handed her the phone, their fingers touching. He felt the surge of electricity that flowed between them. Gabriel closed his eyes to ignore it, but when he opened them, he saw her looking at him, wondering what was wrong. Her eyes looked so innocent. But his eyes wandered to other parts of face, lingering on her soft lips which he died to kiss this night. It was then he realized that he had already moved closer to her, and her back was already touching the wall that lead to her temporary bedroom.

He had caged her there unknowingly. The distance between them was too close for comfort. He wanted to squirm and move away, but he felt like his feet were glued to the carpeted floor. Juliana smelled him, all clean and masculine. The white t-shirt that he wore molded on to his muscles. The low hanging pajamas made him look domestic, yet he still looked so sexy. How did she end up agreeing to stay here for the night anyway? She licked her lips as she felt them drying, unknowing that such a gesture would be Gabriel's undoing.

The temptation was too much. He had to give in even just for a little while. He lifted Juliana's chin to look at him in the eyes. She continued to look away as she blushed. She clutched her phone close to her chest, uneasy of what would happen next.

“I think you're very beautiful, Ms. Austin and I know you're in love with Michael but right now, all I can ever think about is kissing you...”

Her breath was caught as he leaned closer, planting his soft lips on hers. She initially wanted to push him away, but when she realized how gentle he was being and how good he was at kissing, she felt her guard weakening against him. What was this man doing to her? He broke away from their kiss. He did not force his tongue inside her mouth which she was thankful for, and yet, she knew she never should have let him kiss her.

“I'm sorry. I just had to. I couldn't help myself.”
He said softly.

He apologized and cursed himself for being so weak. He walked away, leaving her wondering what just happened and if this would change anything between them. She rushed to the bedroom and closed the door behind her. She had just broken the never date your co-worker or boss rule. What would Lisa say to her now?

Gabriel berated himself for what he did. He had gone for a long time with no intent of a serious relationship, and yet here he was kissing somebody else's girlfriend. He knew he never should have kissed her. He did not want her to quit her job. She was good at it. This was going to be awkward, but he had to do something about this somehow. He just needed to sleep this off.

Juliana had been lying in the bed for hours now, but she still could not sleep. She looked at her watch and saw that it was already 5 A.M. When she heard some noise coming from the kitchen, she opened the door and walked out. It was then she saw Mrs. Donovan, who was preparing some breakfast. She was an elderly woman who was both quiet and reserved. Although she greeted Juliana and served her some pancakes with eggs, bacon and coffee for breakfast, she did not talk to her after that.

After a quick breakfast, she brought her dress into her room. Juliana did not know how to face her boss this morning. She just knew that if she stayed, it would be very awkward and she might not be able to stand it. She decided it was better to leave before he woke up to lessen the blow of what happened last night. She took a shower, dressed up and wrote a note, which she left in the bed before leaving. She might not know where she was, but she could always get a cab somehow. She only hoped that Gabriel wouldn't mind her going home alone.

“Thanks for everything. I really enjoyed the food and the movie last night. - Ms. Austin”

Gabriel opened his eyes to find himself sleeping soundly in his bedroom. He dreamed that he was with Juliana and somehow he wished it were true. As soon as he thought of her, he took a shower and dressed up. He wanted to eat breakfast with her before he took her home. Finally, he would be able to see her home with her consent. Even if he knew that he could always look her address up through her company files, he did not want to be like a stalker. Besides, he imagined the gossip that would generate. The last thing he wanted was Juliana leaving the company because she had an affair with her boss. He wanted her, but he knew now was not the right time for it. He only hoped that someday there would be more than a professional relationship between them.

Mrs. Donovan was cleaning the living room when he saw her. She was quiet as usual as she concentrated on the task at hand. He smiled and greeted her good morning. She greeted him back. But when he asked about Juliana and she said that she had left, his smile faded, leaving him frowning. He rushed to the room where she was sleeping and saw that she had left a note on the bed.